From the Whitstable Times and Herne Bay Herald, 2 June 1860.

THE FOUR O'CLOCK MOVEMENT IN MAIDSTONE.

The workmen employed in the various building firms, feeling the desirability of lessening the hours of labour, held a preliminary meeting last week, for that purpose, from which it appeared that letters had been sent to several firms asking the privilege of leaving their employ at four o'clock on Saturdays. We stated in our last that it needed only the sanction of one large firm for general adoption by the various other employers; we have since been empowered to give an emphatic contradiction to the statement, and their subsequent acquiescence entirely disproves imputation. The following requisition, signed by 218 workmen, was forwarded to respective firms on Tuesday last:—

“The Rose and Crown Inn, High-street, “Maidstone, May 28, 1860.

“In a spirit of conciliation and with a desire that the amicable arrangements at present existing between the employer and employed, shall in no wise be disturbed, we earnestly solicit you to take into consideration the granting to your employees, the permission of terminating their day's labour, on Saturdays, at four o'clock, instead of half-past five, as heretofore, commencing from Saturday next, June 2nd. With a due regard to the mutual benefits to be conferred thereby, we hope that you may arrive at a favourable decision, and by the kind concession of the same, strengthen the bond of union so necessary for the complete development of commercial enterprise, and the just appreciation of which cannot be too fully recognised, both by the employer and employed; convinced, by such a course, you will retain the goodwill and esteem of those you already possess. Trusting to your courtesy and condescension for a reply by the 30th “ Your humble and obedient servants,

“On behalf of the undersigned

“J. Pell, Sen., Chairman.

“C. Worley, Vice-chairman." (Here follow the signatures of 218 workmen.)

In consequence of the above a meeting of the principal employers of the borough and suburbs was held at the "Queen's Head Inn," on Wednesday evening, when resolutions were passed (sec. advertisement on second page) determining to concede the desired boon.

From the Whitstable Times and Herne Bay Herald, 2 June 1860.

On Thursday the men met again, at the "Rose and Crown," when the following letter was read and accepted:—

"To Mr. John Pell,

“Sir,— I am requested by the undersigned gentlemen to ask you to inform the workmen, who have signed the application to the employers in the building trade, to be allowed to discontinue work at four o'clock on Saturdays, that at a meeting of the employers, held at the "Queen's Head Inn," on Wednesday evening, the 30th inst , the following resolutions were unanimously agreed to:—

"Resolution 1st. Moved by Mr. William Vaughan, and seconded by Mr. Robert Foord:— That the persons present at this meeting do agree to comply with the request of the workmen in their employ to cease work at 4 o'clock on Saturdays, commencing June 2, 1860.

2nd. Moved by Mr. Thomas Thompson, and seconded by Mr. Richard Walter:— That any workman making less time than 30 hours during any week, shall not be paid for 10 hours on Saturday.

“3rd. Moved by Mr. Richard Walter, and seconded by Mr. W. Bradshaw:- That the employers reserve to themselves the right of paying their men at 4 o'clock at their respective jobs.”

[Here follow names of the various firms, for which see advertisement].

Several toasts were then given, among others the "Press.” The meeting separated shortly after.

The advantages, both physically, morally, and intellectually, from the shortening of the hours of labour cannot be too much extolled, and the ready acquiescence of the employers to the demands of the men is such that might, with credit, be generally adopted by other employers throughout the borough.

From the Whitstable Times and Herne Bay Herald, 9 June 1860.

THE FOUR O'CLOCK MOVEMENT IN MAIDSTONE.

In addition to the concession of the Four o'clock to those trades we reported last week, we have this week to mention that of the saddlers and harness makers, the employers of which granted the privilege to their men on Saturday last, without being solicited — an example which might be creditably followed by employers of other trades.

A meeting of the engineers and others connected with the iron trades was held at the "Rose and Crown" on Wednesday last, when a resolution was adopted for the presentation of a memorial, soliciting the concession of the four o'clock, without any deduction of their pay, the week to constitute 58 1/2 hours. Nothing, however has yet been done in the matter. A meeting of the trades in connection with the foundries, to further consider the matter, will be held this evening (Saturday), at the "Rose and Crown."

From the Whitstable Times and Herne Bay Herald, 16 June 1860.

THE FOUR O'CLOCK MOVEMENT IN MAIDSTONE.

A meeting of the various branches in connection with the engineering trade was held at the "Rose and Crown," High street, on Saturday evening. The chair was taken by Mr. Povey and the Vice-chair by Mr. Brownell. The meeting was well attended, and a conciliator and unanimous spirit prevailed. The chairman, after alluding to a preliminary meeting and the proposition that had been advanced, called upon Mr. Parr to move that the following memorial be presented to their respective employers:—

"In a spirit of conciliation, and with a desire that the amicable arrangements at present existing between the employer and employed, shall in no wise be disturbed, we earnestly solicit you to take into consideration the granting to your employee's, the permission of terminating their day's labour, on Saturdays, at Four o'clock, instead of at Half past Five, as heretofore, with the same privileges, commencing from Saturday next. June 16th. With a due regard to the mutual benefits to be conferred thereby, we hope that you may arrive at a favourable decision, and by the kind concession of the same, strengthen the bond of union so necessary for the complete development of commercial enterprise, and the just appreciation of kind concession of the same, strengthen the bond of union to necessary for the complete development of commercial enterprise, and the just appreciation of which cannot be too fully recognised both by the employer and employed; convinced, by such a course, you will retain the goodwill and esteem of those you already possess. Trusting to your courtesy and condescension for a reply by the 14th inst.” Mr. Gardner seconded the above, which was carried unanimously.

From the Whitstable Times and Herne Bay Herald, 23 June 1860.

The Four O'clock Movement

At a meeting of the engineers, on Saturday, at the "Rose and Crown." Mr. Gardner in the chair, an announcement was made that the employers had granted the four o'clock. The thanks of the meeting was then accorded to the masters for their generosity in conceding the boon asked of them. A vote of thanks to the press was then passed, and the remainder of the evening was spent in harmony:— We have also great pleasure in recording the adhesion to the movement of Mr Pell, cork cutter, Stone-street, and Mr. Coomber, cooper, Union-street, whose men will likewise be permitted to leave work at four o'clock on Saturdays.

See "Market Inn," Ashford.